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The educational horizon: fostering understanding and competence With the rules set and the surveillance mechanisms in place, attention turns to a new frontier: education. The Digital Mental Health Project recognises that guidance is only as effective as the understanding that animates it.
Integration with professional development For clinicians, it is hoped that e-learning modules will tie into ongoing professional accreditation and revalidation requirements, meaning that digital mental health competency becomes a standard part of medical practice. Evolving together: a new chapter for the MHRA The Digital Mental Health Project reflects the MHRA’s ongoing commitment to more collaborative, transparent, and responsive regulation, in line with its published corporate plan and response to the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review (IMMDS Review). Building on our strong regulatory foundations, we are evolving our approach to better meet the needs of today’s digital health landscape.
Integration with digital ecosystems Education is embedded directly in the digital health landscape, complementing the real-world
use of mental health tools. This supports the MHRA’s goal to promote a culture of safety, trust, and innovation for digital mental health.
Conclusion: the next chapters await
Future plans for education and e-learning include:
The Digital Mental Health Project is an ongoing effort to build on collaboration, adaptation, and forward- thinking a narrative in which regulators, patients, clinicians, and innovators work together. The guidance, co-created and continuously evolving, provides a solid foundation. Education that is flexible and inclusive equips those at every stage to engage with digital mental health tools with confidence. Throughout, the commitment to safety, efficacy, and equity. As digital mental health technologies become ever more integral to care, the Digital Mental Health Project aims not only to regulate, but to support and enable, a model for what health regulation can be in a connected, compassionate world. The future, shaped with all stakeholders involved, offers the opportunity for innovation and wellbeing to advance hand in hand.
Healthcare professionals New e-learning modules and interactive resources are being created to ensure clinicians have the know- how to safely recommend, deploy, and monitor digital mental health tools. These resources go beyond simple compliance, aiming to foster critical appraisal skills and an understanding of the ethical, technical, and practical
nuances of digital care. The public and patients
That includes:
Accessible educational materials are in development to empower individuals to make informed choices about digital mental health resources. These will cover basics of digital safety, privacy, and the rights of users, as well as guidance on how to recognise credible products. On-demand and modular learning Content of these resources is being tailored to different learning styles and levels of expertise, from introductory videos to in- depth, scenario-based training. Collaborative development Education materials are designed in partnership with stakeholders, particularly those with lived experience of mental health, echoing the co-creation model used for regulatory guidance itself.
Continuous engagement Ongoing stakeholder input ensures guidance and educational materials stay current and relevant. Digital-native education Learning is delivered through online platforms, interactive modules, and multimedia resources, meeting users where they are on their devices and at their pace. Agility and responsiveness Both guidance and educational materials are living documents, updated in response to new evidence, technological advances, and emerging needs. User-centric design Resources are built around the needs and experiences of end-users.
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